So I've been thinking about getting a Grom (again)

"Alfalfa" (alfalfa-romeo)
11/04/2014 at 23:42 • Filed to: None

I've always thought they were really cool, and that it would also be a great transition from my dirtbike and scooter experience to a road bike, but it was difficult to really justify it seeing that my commute is mainly 15 miles of freeway, and anywhere else I go typically involves a passenger. But as I've been searching for more gainful employment, I've been applying at jobs in some pretty small, podunk-ish towns.

So if I'm living in a town that's about five miles from one end to the other, with plenty of back country roads to bomb around on, it almost seems irresponsible not to buy a Grom.

Speaking of commutes, I saw this today on my way home.

DISCUSSION (17)

JGrabowMSt > Alfalfa
11/04/2014 at 23:51

Ferrari in it's natural habitat.

The cost analysis is the key. How much will said Grom cost, and will the paycheck cover it back in a fairly short amount of time?

For example, I can afford to buy the car, but can I afford a problem should I run into one?

Alfalfa > JGrabowMSt
11/04/2014 at 23:58

They're pretty simple and cheap to run, from everything I've read. MSRP is just a hair over 3k. If I find a new job in the next month or so, I'll have most of the winter to save up, which should get me enough. Of course, this entire situation is still hypothetical, and pending with potential employment.

JGrabowMSt > Alfalfa
11/05/2014 at 00:06

If the checkbook can still balance (and hopefully teeter in the favor of your savings) and it's in the cards, who am I to say no?

Despite all the "hypothetical," I think you're just slowly justifying it in your head for when you do have the change for it.

Alfalfa > JGrabowMSt
11/05/2014 at 00:21

Haha, there is a bit of justifying, but if I stayed in the city I would honestly just get a fun car instead.

The main hurdle would be getting the wife to sign off. She's pretty supportive of my car obsession, but goes back and forth on motorcycles. Hopefully the Grom's lightness, low power and ease of use would help win her approval...

JGrabowMSt > Alfalfa
11/05/2014 at 00:29

Ah yes...my girlfriend is the same way, though lately she's told me "I'm more into cars than you give me credit." Maybe that's my ticket to bigger and badder toys, who knows?!

You've got plenty of time if it's not until the spring when you'll start looking harder.

Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. > Alfalfa
11/05/2014 at 00:37

I looked at a Grom, and it was neat but I think you could do better for the same money or less. Check out the Rebel or the Suzuki GS250. Not as cool as the grom, but should you need to go on the highway for a bit, these are better suited for the task.

Tohru > Alfalfa
11/05/2014 at 01:16

For around $2k-3k, you could get a used 250cc Honda or Kawasaki. Then in a year or two, you could sell it for around $2k.

Vee Ate Injun > Alfalfa
11/05/2014 at 02:22

Hehe, I came on Oppo tonight to see if anyone owns a Grom and to get their opinion, as I'm considering one for my first bike.
Went to a dealer during lunch today and sat on one - wow, it feels fun just sitting on it. So tossable.

For me, the pro's are definitely its size (small and lightweight) and reliability (it's a Honda). The con's are: the price and the tiny engine (=not highway/freeway legal here in CA). As others have said, You can get a lot more bike for the same price on the used bike market. Heck, if you stay within Honda you can upgrade substantially for just $800 and get a new CB300F , which actually looks like the Grom's older brother.

If I get the Grom I may end up outgrowing it quick and selling it to get a proper bike, so I'm considering just getting a small, proper bike. Or... I can't part with the Grom and my wife gets pissed off at me for buying a second bike.

Alfalfa > Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast.
11/05/2014 at 09:08

I've looked at the TU250 and really liked it, but I've always leaned more towards dual-sport bikes. The problem with that is they tend to have higher seat heights, and I'm pretty short (5'5"). Sure you can get a different seat and lower suspension, but then the cost argument starts to lose traction.

Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. > Alfalfa
11/05/2014 at 11:35

Well, the two bikes I mentioned have really low seats, so even at 5'5 I think you'll be okay. It's been a few weeks since I sat on one, but the seating on the Grom really reminded me a lot of a scooter. It's a very high position with a shorter wheel base.

Alfalfa > Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast.
11/05/2014 at 11:43

Yes, but they're more of standard or cruiser bikes. Most bikes with aesthetics closer to the Grom have seats around 35" off the ground. What I've always really wanted was something closer to a dual sport.

JEM > Vee Ate Injun
11/05/2014 at 14:21

I really dig the CB300F. Saw a blacked out one for the first time this summer and had no idea what it was, couldn't believe how cheap they were when talking to the owner who really dug it as well.

Vee Ate Injun > JEM
11/09/2014 at 18:40

The CB300F has moved up as one of three bikes i'm seriously considering (think I'm passing on the Grom because of its limitations).

bob and john > Alfalfa
11/09/2014 at 23:34

buell blast. they have REALYL short seat hieghts (think like 26.5 inchs with the low seat IIRC, and 27 with the "normal" seat"
cheap (a used one is about the same as a new grom)
and great bikes to learn to wrench on and transit from scooter to bikes.

Alfalfa > bob and john
11/09/2014 at 23:49

Thanks! These look pretty sweet, I'll look more into them for sure if I do end up getting a bike.

bob and john > Alfalfa
11/09/2014 at 23:51

I will warn you. Buells are uh...they are pretty hit and miss when it comes to relibility. I had the carb fall off my blast twice. its an easy engineering problem to fix, but you shoudl be warned

Alfalfa > bob and john
11/10/2014 at 00:18

Haha I will keep that in mind. The plan is to use it more for fun than transportation, so reliability won't be AS important...